Could this be topaz?

[tulip928]

I have an old ring (1920s or earlier) passed down to me from my great-grandmother. It has always been described as topaz from generation to generation. It is an emerald cut measuring 10mm x 15mm and is set in a plain band that is ornately inscribed on the shoulders and with 14 prongs (I believe it is gold). The stone color is a very rich golden orange. I''ve compared it to small citrine stones that I have, and it is much richer and deeper in color. Anybody know anything about topaz?

 

[moon river]

I know there is ''golden topaz''. It is my birthstone and I had a ring with that stone in it as a child. I know they sometimes us citrine as Nov. birthstone.

 

[tulip928]

Date: 1/20/2006 12:23:54 PM
Author: moon river
I know there is ''golden topaz''. It is my birthstone and I had a ring with that stone in it as a child. I know they sometimes us citrine as Nov. birthstone.

I''ve heard that some people call citrine "topaz". My mom insists that the "herstory" of the ring is that it is genuine topaz. It''s been sitting in my jewelry box for years.

 

[Richard M.]

Hi,

Do a search for "citrine" or "topaz." There''s a ton of stuff in the archives that might help; this topic has been done over and over.

1. There''s really no way to tell without testing the stone: even images aren''t usually a lot of help. Any jeweler or gemologist who can measure refractive index can tell easily; most can tell at a glance.

2. Citrine has been referred to as "topaz" or "citrine topaz" for at least 100 years, so the age of the piece doesn''t provide a clue. Only recently have gemologists begun demanding that citrine be sold as quartz as opposed to true topaz, an entirely different mineral.

Good luck!

Richard M.

 

[tulip928]

Thank you Richard, I''ll check the archives and find a gemologist!